A new financial publication aimed at promoting financial literacy, entrepreneurship and sustainable wealth creation in Eswatini was officially launched on Friday evening at Sibanesami Hotel in Ezulwini.
FinGuard Magazine, founded by financial services professional Lungile Tsabedze, was officially launched by the Minister of Information, Communications and Technology, Savannah Maziya, during an event attended by government officials, industry leaders and members of the financial sector.
The Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Ambassador Melusi Masuku, represented the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Manqoba Khumalo.
The event positioned financial literacy as a key driver of entrepreneurship, economic inclusion and national development. The launch comes at a time when concerns around consumer debt, poor financial planning, youth unemployment and limited financial literacy continue to affect many households and small businesses across the country.
Addressing guests during the launch, Minister Maziya called on emaSwati, particularly young people, to rethink their relationship with money and focus on long-term financial sustainability rather than temporary social validation.
“The big issue about money is to learn how to make it, grow it and keep it,” said Maziya.
She warned against the growing culture of financial pressure driven by appearances and societal expectations, saying many people were falling into unnecessary debt in attempts to maintain lifestyles they cannot afford.
The minister stressed the importance of financial discipline, leadership and entrepreneurship in building generational wealth and securing the future of families and communities. She encouraged young people to invest in knowledge, build businesses and develop healthy financial habits that can create sustainable opportunities for future generations.
Her sentiments were echoed in remarks from Minister Khumalo, who described financial literacy as no longer optional in today’s rapidly evolving economy.
“Financial literacy is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity,” said Khumalo in remarks delivered on his behalf.
He said financially informed citizens are better equipped to participate meaningfully in commerce, entrepreneurship and industrial development, adding that economic growth cannot be achieved through infrastructure and investment alone without empowering citizens with knowledge.
“As a Ministry, we recognize that sustainable economic growth is built not only on investment and infrastructure, but also on the knowledge and capability of our people,” he said.
Khumalo noted that entrepreneurs who understand budgeting, savings, investment, credit management and risk management are more likely to build resilient enterprises capable of creating jobs and contributing to economic growth.
He further stated that financial education is critical in supporting small business development, improving household stability and strengthening the country’s broader economic competitiveness. The minister also highlighted the strategic role the media could play in promoting informed societies, saying publications such as FinGuard had the power to bridge information gaps and influence positive financial behaviour.
“FinGuard Magazine has the potential to become an important partner in promoting consumer protection, enterprise development and responsible financial practices,” he said.
At the centre of the evening was founder and Managing Director Lungile Tsabedze, who delivered an emotional and visionary address describing FinGuard as more than just a publication.
“Today is not just the launch of a magazine. Today is the beginning of a movement, a journey, a declaration that eSwatini can, will, and must rise to a new era of financial awareness, empowerment and economic prosperity,” said Tsabedze.
Drawing from her experience in the financial services sector, Tsabedze reflected on the realities he has witnessed over the years; young people making uninformed financial decisions, families struggling under avoidable debt burdens and businesses losing opportunities because of limited access to information.
At the same time, she said financial knowledge can transform lives, strengthen communities and create opportunities for growth.
“And so, FinGuard was born from this vision, from this belief, that information is power, that financial literacy is freedom, and that empowerment is the pathway to national growth,” she said.
Tsabedze explained that the magazine will focus on stories of resilience, innovation and entrepreneurship while also offering practical financial education aimed at empowering readers to make informed decisions.
She emphasised that the publication sought to cultivate a culture of financial intelligence that reaches every part of society, from rural communities to boardrooms and policy-making spaces.
“We are here to plant seeds, seeds that will grow into informed citizens, strategic entrepreneurs, resilient businesses and visionary leaders,” she said.
According to Tsabedze, FinGuard will serve as a bridge between knowledge and action, ambition and results, while encouraging citizens to think strategically, invest responsibly and plan boldly for the future. She further challenged emaSwati to take ownership of their financial futures, saying every financial decision carries the potential to shape lives, families and communities.
“Every financial choice you make is a vote for the life you want, a statement about the future you envision, and a seed planted in the fertile soil of your own potential,” she said.
She urged the public to support the publication by purchasing, reading and sharing it within their communities, saying FinGuard intends to become a national platform for empowerment, education and economic transformation.